Qantas Loyalty is rolling out its biggest-ever status changes, reshaping how Frequent Flyer members earn and retain their tiers. The changes were announced as the flying kangaroo revealed a $1.46 billion (before tax) profit for the first half of the financial year.
What it means
For the first time, QFF members will be able to earn Status Credits without flying as well as roll over unused credits into the next membership year.
From later this year, members can earn up to 140 Status Credits annually through everyday spend across 10 categories, including credit cards and retail partners. These credits will also count towards Lifetime status.
In addition, tiered members will be able to roll over up to 50 per cent of unused Status Credits, capped at 100 for Silver, 350 for Gold and 500 for Platinum.
At the same time, Qantas will move to a single annual Status Credit target per tier. Gold, for example, will require 700 Status Credits each year. The previous lower “retain” thresholds will disappear.
The airline will also retire Points Club and Green Tier from late 2026, folding selected benefits into the core program. Qantas says this removes overlap and simplifies recognition.
Meanwhile, Lifetime Gold members will gain new incentives, including the ability to bank up to five complimentary years of Platinum status once higher lifetime milestones are reached.
Higher-tier members will also score new on-the-ground vouchers and discounts, while Silver members will receive an extra lounge invitation every year.
Elsewhere, a new digital tool will launch next month, allowing members to search Classic Reward seats across Qantas and 30 partner airlines over a 12-month window.
Qantas says changes will roll out progressively through 2026 and 2027.
Shifting landscape
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the overhaul “represents a new era for the Frequent Flyer program in the face of a changing loyalty landscape”.
“Our members have an incredible appetite for earning points, but we know they also place immense value on their status,” she added.
“Our most frequent flyers tell us that status retention is the single most important milestone as a member, with thousands achieving or retaining their tier every day.
“These changes are about creating more opportunities for members to unlock status, while ensuring the program remains as relevant and rewarding in the future as it has been for the past four decades.”
Qantas Loyalty and Customer CEO Andrew Glance said Status Credit rollover and on-ground earning were landmark changes for the program.
“Around half of the status credits our members earn each year are over and above their tier thresholds,” he stated.
“We are giving value back, ensuring hard-earned status credits in one year give members a head start in the next.
“Lifetime Gold members have shown decades-long loyalty to Qantas, and we want to give them a clearer pathway to even greater rewards.
“Silver members are our largest group of tiered flyers, and these changes will also deliver more travel benefits for them right from the outset.”
Profits fly
Qantas today announced its FY25 half-yearly financial results, revealing a $71 million profit lift to $1.46 billion (before tax).
The result was led by “sustained growth” in the domestic market, which saw Qantas Group’s Domestic business deliver $1.05 billion in underlying profit – a rise of 14 per cent. However, the group’s international profit for 1H26 fell by 6 per cent to $463 million.
Domestically, Qantas revenue for the six months rose 5 per cent, aided by 6 per cent growth in business travel. Overall, there was a 4 per cent increase in capacity as the carrier introduced six new aircraft, including its first A321XLRs.
Internationally, Qantas saw revenue and capacity rise by 5 per cent.
“By consistently delivering strong earnings growth we’re able to continue investing in the largest fleet renewal in our history,” Hudson said.
“We’re already seeing the benefits from the next generation aircraft that are flying, which along with strong demand, our dual brand strategy and expanding Qantas Loyalty business, helped us deliver another strong result.
“These new aircraft are not only improving the experience for our customers and opening up new opportunities for our people, they’re also helping drive our financial performance.”
Jetstar jump
Elsewhere, Jetstar continued its strong form with domestic operations delivering a massive 38 per cent increase in underlying profit and its international arm reporting a 9 per cent lift.
The low-cost carrier flew around 600,000 more international passengers in the six months to December.
“Around 60 per cent of Jetstar’s increase in profitability in the half was driven by its new aircraft, through a combination of growth, new network opportunities and the redeployment of existing aircraft onto other routes,” Hudson noted.
“This gives us confidence in the benefits that will flow once Qantas’ new aircraft reach scale. We’ve already started to see an acceleration in deliveries for Qantas, with six new aircraft arriving in the half and a further 30 arriving over the next 18 months.”
Qantas Loyalty also grew in the half, with profits rising 12 per cent to $286 million and membership growing to over 18.3 million people.
In other news, Qantas today unveiled a new non-stop service between Sydney and Las Vegas. Read more about that here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Qantas Loyalty is getting a serious boost. Status Credits can now be earned on the ground and rolled over, making the program simpler and more rewarding. The revamp lands alongside a $1.46B HY profit, lifted by Jetstar’s booming performance, strong domestic travel and growing Qantas Loyalty revenue.
